The Walnut Firehouse 5K walk/run, the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Walnut Volunteer Fire Department, has been moved to Saturday, Oct. 17, at 8:30 a.m. Walnut Fire & Rescue postponed the race from its original Oct. 10 date because of the threat of heavy rain from the remnants of Hurricane Isaias.
In a post on its Facebook page, the department said it made the call because of the high chance of heavy rainfall on race morning. It also thanked everyone who had already signed up and supported the event, noting that the 5K is its biggest fundraiser of the year.
Walnut Firehouse 5K Details
According to the department’s race flyer, every dollar raised goes to the Walnut Volunteer Fire Department. The event is open to both runners and walkers. Here’s what the flyer lists:
New date: Saturday, Oct. 17, 8:30 a.m.
Start: Shotgun start, led by a fire truck
Course: USATF-certified (MS15014MS)
Awards: Top three overall, plus Masters and Grand Masters overall
Extras: Door prizes and a medallion for every finisher
Shirts: Guaranteed for the first 100 participants
Race-day registration: 7 to 8:20 a.m. (per the original flyer)
Entry fee: $20 early bird (before Sept. 15), $25 general registration
The department hasn’t announced any other changes to the race-day schedule. Anyone planning to run should check the Walnut Fire & Rescue Facebook page for updates before Saturday.
Why the Race Matters to Walnut
Like many small-town departments in rural Mississippi, Walnut’s fire service depends on volunteers, and fundraisers help pay for equipment, gear and training that protect the town and surrounding parts of northern Tippah County. A race organizer’s post put it simply, inviting people to come out and support “those who volunteer for our community.”
The Tippah County Running Club also promoted the race in September as another good local event for area runners and walkers.
A Busy Stretch for Walnut
The rescheduled race lands in a full week for the town. The Walnut Lady Wildcats volleyball team plays for a North State title on Monday, Oct. 12, and Walnut football hosts Hamilton for senior night on Friday, Oct. 16, the night before the 5K. With the rain gone and a run of warm, dry weather in the forecast, conditions should be far better than they would have been last weekend. Runners should plan for heat and bring water.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
